ST. PETERSBURG, Florida -- For the first time in three years, the Rays missed out on the playoffs last season. Despite putting together a 90 win season and finishing third in the American League East division, many have selected the Rays as the team to beat.

Tampa Bay still has one of the most potent starting pitching rotations in the game, even after trading away innings eater James Shields. The pitching staff, headlined by Cy Young award winner David Price, is expected to lead the team this year, but the question entering the 2013 season centers around their hitting. Did the Rays make the moves they need to inch closer to their first World Series championship?